Updated on - 09 Feb 2026
Driving in India comes with countless challenges. Poor road conditions, open manholes and complete disregard for traffic rules by some motorists are among the leading causes of road accidents in the country. No matter how cautiously you drive, you have no control over several unfortunate incidents, including scratches.
Dents or scratches are minor incidents, and fixing them usually does not cost much. However, if you have a car insurance policy, you might wonder whether it covers such small incidents and whether it’s worth filing a claim for them. Let's look at it in detail.
Are car scratches covered in a car insurance policy?
Car insurance coverage varies depending on the insurer and the policy terms. It is critical to read the policy wording carefully to understand inclusions and exclusions and avoid any possible claim rejections. Mostly, popular insurers cover scratches. However, if you have only a third-party liability insurance policy for your car, without a standalone own damage cover, the insurer will deny your claim.
Types of car insurance that cover scratches
Scratches on a car are covered only under certain types of insurance policies. In India, comprehensive car insurance is the primary policy that protects against such damages. It goes beyond third-party liability and includes coverage for your own vehicle, whether the scratches occur due to a minor accident, vandalism or any unforeseen incident.
Some insurers also offer own damage (OD) cover as a standalone policy, which provides similar protection for your vehicle against accidental or environmental damage, including scratches.
On the other hand, a third-party insurance policy, which is mandatory by law, does not cover any repair costs for scratches or dents on your own car. Therefore, to ensure complete financial protection, opting for a comprehensive or own damage policy is the best choice.
Will a car scratch affect your deductibles?
Yes, a car scratch claim will affect your deductible. If you are filing a claim even for small scratches under comprehensive car insurance, you would still need to cover your deductible first before the rest of it would get picked up by the insurer. In cases where the repair cost is lower than or close to your deductible amount, it may not be worth filing a claim.
Will a car scratch impact your premium?
Yes, reporting a claim for a car scratch can affect your insurance premium. When you raise a claim, even for minor damages, you may lose your No Claim Bonus (NCB), which otherwise helps reduce future premiums.
If you have previously filed several claims, it will give the insurer the impression that you have poor driving skills and are likely to file a significant claim soon. As a result, to offset their potential financial burden, you will be charged higher premiums.
Avoid filing minor insurance claims and try to accumulate NCB rewards to make the best of your car insurance.
How to file a claim for minor car scratches?
Here’s how to file a claim for minor car scratches:
- Verify your policy: Since scratches are typically not covered by third-party car insurance, make sure you have comprehensive or own-damage coverage.
- Report as soon as you can: Notify your insurer by phone, email, website or mobile app as soon as possible (usually within 48 to 72 hours).
- Take pictures of the damage: Make sure to take clear pictures and videos of the scratches from various perspectives.
- Submit a claim form: It will request your policy number, vehicle and personal details and proof of damage.
- Vehicle inspection: To examine the damage and determine the cost of repairs, the insurer may even designate a surveyor.
Documents required to claim car scratch insurance
These are the documents that you may be required to present when filing a claim for scratches:
- Vehicle registration certificate (RC): Serves as proof of ownership of the car.
- Driving licence: Belonging to the person who was driving the vehicle at the time of the incident.
- FIR or police report: Mandatory if the scratches resulted from vandalism, theft or an accident.
- Photographs or videos of the damage: Needed to assess the extent and nature of the scratches.
- Insurer’s claim form: Must be duly filled out and signed by the policyholder.
- Repair bills or invoices: Required if you are applying for reimbursement after getting the car repaired.
Steps to get your car scratch repaired through insurance
To get your car scratches repaired through insurance, start by informing your insurer immediately after the damage occurs and submitting a claim as soon as possible. You will then need to provide the necessary documents. Next, an inspection and survey will be conducted by the insurer’s loss assessor to evaluate the extent of the scratches and estimate the repair cost.
Once approved, you can take your car to a network or authorised garage for restoration. Depending on your policy, the claim will be settled either as a cashless repair, where the insurer pays the garage directly, or as a reimbursement, where you pay upfront and later receive the approved amount from the insurance company.
How long does it take to settle a car scratch claim?
In case of cashless claims, based on the final surveyor report, if the vehicle is repaired in a network garage, it would take 3 to 5 working days after submitting the documents. Repayment claims, however, can take 7 to 10 days as they require additional verification and documentation. The quicker documents are received, the quicker a case can settle.
Tips to avoid car scratch claims rejection
To prevent car scratch claim rejection, always follow these tips:
- Tell your insurer about the damage as soon as you can, and don’t put off making that call.
- Give accurate details of the circumstances of such a scratch, and submit clear photographs.
- Make sure you have a non-expired car insurance policy with comprehensive insurance, since scratches are not covered by third-party insurance.
- Avoid repairing the car before inspection by the surveyor.
- Submit all required documents like RC, driving licence and policy papers on time.
Difference between own damage and third-party coverage
Own damage and third-party cover are two crucial aspects of car insurance. Third-party insurance is the legal requirement in compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act and provides for damages caused by your vehicle to another person/property. But it provides no coverage for your own car. Whereas, own damage insurance protects against losses or damages caused to your own car due to accidents, theft, fire or other natural calamities. In order to secure the best protection, it is also advisable to consider a policy that offers the combination of both coverages.
Conclusion
The right car insurance is critical to ensure you and your vehicle are properly covered while driving. Third-party insurance takes care of your statutory liability, whereas opting for comprehensive car insurance provides more extensive coverage, including damages to your own vehicle as well as third-party liabilities. It also protects you against unexpected costs in accidents, theft or natural disasters. If you need guidance in selecting the best car insurance plan for your needs, fill out the form below, and our experts will help you compare and choose the right plan.
FAQs
1. Does comprehensive car insurance cover minor scratches?
Yes, comprehensive car insurance usually covers scratches, dents and minor damages, unlike third-party insurance, which only covers damages to others’ property.
2. Will claiming for scratches affect my car insurance premium?
Filing a scratch claim may affect your premium and reduce your No Claim Bonus (NCB), so it’s important to evaluate repair costs before claiming.
3. What documents are required to file a car scratch claim?
You need your car insurance policy, registration certificate, driving licence, photos of damage, FIR (if applicable), claim form and repair invoices.
4. How long does it take to settle a car scratch claim?
Cashless claims at network garages typically settle in 3-5 working days, while reimbursement claims may take 7-10 days, depending on documentation and verification.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It may contain outdated data and information regarding the topic featured in the article. It is advised to verify the currency and relevance of the data and information before taking any major steps. ICICI Lombard is not liable for any inaccuracies or consequences resulting from the use of this outdated information.